"If you're going through hell... Keep going!"

Closer look at Salford

2008-08-05T15:43:00.005+01:00

Salford Quays...
...are my favourite city district ever - I admire the new, modern architecture as well as the surroundings with its heritage and history. This canal was used in great times of Industrial Revolution as a connection channel between Manchester&Liverpool and rest of the world.
Now, this is a business centre and place of upper-class apartments for young professionals who can enjoy great location and leisure area... as we all do!

Me in Recreation Centre at Salford Quays

Aga and Lukas enjoying the walk in the Sunday afternoon

Marta thinking of breaking the law...

Cycling around Salford

Since I repaired two bikes we can enjoy bike rides with Marta. Therefore, we decided to go to Ordsall Hall which we aimed to visit long time ago, but didn't manage to reach that destination when walking.

Ordsall Hall

Marta on her bike at the mansion

Dining room... and the portray of a "White Lady" whose ghost is said to be haunting this place even today...

Interesting interior - connection of shapes of two and three leaves

Marta and her "favourite" place in the mansion - the kitchen!

Setting up new goals in life, new challenges and directions!

Marta in front of Ordsall Hall

Small garden in front of Ordsall hall where they grew and still do all the herbs needed for meals.

back in ...Salford Quays

International running competition, teams from UK, Germany, Greece and Spain enjoyed triathlon in Salford Quays.

Manchester United Stadium

Traditional, British upper-class houses

We tried to cycle around the Salford Quays but it is really long way around, but next attempt will be more successful! :)

Graduation 2008

2008-07-22T21:56:00.005+01:00

Yes! I have graduated and received, earned an official degree:

Bachelor of Science (Honorous) in Business Studies with International Business Management awarded by Salford Business School, University of Salford in 2008.

Jakub, Marta & Mariusz - the Graduates 2008

Mariusz vel. Mario - the Graduate!

Jakub vel. Jacob Langworthy and Mario - enjoying the moment

Hey!

M&M happy that they achieved a great success after supporting each other throughout the year in good and bad times!

Unlimited Limited Plc - Winners of Management Simulation 2008, Cluster 7

Throughout the year we played simulation game in which we were managing the manufacturing company and were responsible for all the departments - Finances, Human Resources, Production, Marketing, Supply Chain and General. We were competing in our cluster against six other teams. Final score showed that we were unbeatable and won in each category - highest share price, market shares, richest, most advanced technologicaly.

The individual award for the achievements with Unlimited Limited Plc during Management Simulation module.

Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2008, especially Marta, Jakub, Mike, Lisa, Richard, Mark, Ansar, Ashia, Jill, Lauren and our competitors in Management Simulation Module.

PS.
Management Simulation module was my star project, because when studying at the University of Vic in Spain, I was playing Markstrat simulation game with two German girls and Swiss friend and we were winning whole semester and lost first position in the last day towards Spaniards which was a painful experience - but, hey! Lesson learnt and we outnumbered the competition.

Karas family visit in the UK

2008-07-22T21:49:00.004+01:00

Marta's parents came to UK to visit this beautiful country and mainly us to check how and where we live. If the conditions are as good as we describe during Skype talks in reality. Therefore, we showed them main attractions in Manchester and North-West area in just few days, which are as follows:

First stop
Salford Quays > North-West War Museum > Manchester United Stadium

Manchester United Stadium - Old Trafford
Stretford End - West Stand

North Stand

Second stop
Liverpool > Albert Docks > The Beatles Museum > City Centre

Ships in the Albert Docks

Marta's parents in the Beatles Museum enjoying their travel to the past

Karas family in Liverpool enjoying wonderful weather

Traditional English dances

Travelling group

Third Stop
Blackpool

We were shocked by the wonderful, sunny weather we had in Blackpool, which allowed us to enjoy the day. Blackpool is a family friendly city with huge beach and many gaming centres as well as funfair.
Amazing clouds shape

Marta happy after winning a mascot - she played darts and got just enough points to collect it.

Eiffel Tower in Blackpool and amazing double-decker trams (first trams come from this city!)

Marta enjoying the ride with her parents
M&M in Blackpool nearby obelisk

Me and Marta's parents in front of gambling and gaming centre.

Fourth stop
Manchester
in Manchester city centre

All the guests are welcome here in our apartment in Salford, especially the closest onces. Therefore, we were happy to show Marta's parents life in UK and how to survive British weather with a constant smile and enjoy marvelous spots.

Thank you for coming and hope you enjoyed the time we had together!

Holidays in Poland

2008-06-29T17:47:00.003+01:00

Every time coming back to Poland is special - visiting family members: my parents, grandparents, sister and her man; then meeting with friends. All those talks happen in special places to me - my wonderful city - Rzeszow, which is growing and changing each time I see it. It is also beautiful due to renovation process which makes the city colourful and stylish. Then, visiting Rymanow - city where I have spent most of my summer holidays playing football and entertaining my friends through various games I organised and managed...

...so many memories come back when again in those places with those people...

My mother and me in Krosno

Asia & Pawel during Grill Party:)

Karpaty, traditional dances assembly group with 'Groom and Bride'

Our great friends - Iza&Kamil, Bride and groom

Polish traditional weeding is firstly - about great food, constantly new portions put on the tables, secondly - about the dancing to the music played by great live band, thirdly about talks, stories... etc. FUN!

Dance dance everyone:)

When thinking about days in Poland I come to idea that living in this country is not so bad as people say or think. Moreover, I have never suffferd, had serious problem or struggled while living in Poland. I really enjoyed my life in Poland - therefore this is the country where in long term I would love to live, because the weather is proper - cold in winter, hot in summer; there are so many interesting places to visit; food is fresh and 'organic', while in UK you have to pay extra for good food...

...will see when I come back for longer to Poland...
There are so many opportunites out there that it would be a shame not to try them out!:)

Enjoy and take what life gives you, because later you may regret not giving yourself a chance...

Support your National team

2008-06-29T17:12:00.002+01:00

There are days when people dress up in colours of their country and most of those times happen along with sport events. The EURO Championships 2008 were great occasion to show where we are from and who we support - our national Polish team! Even though, all the odds were against we always hope - because real fan always believe in the team!

Therefore, EURO 2008 was a great tournament for me even though my team lost two games and draw becoming one of the worst... however being 15 or 16th in Europe is not the worst thing... at least we qualified!

M&M supporting Poland during game against Germany!

Thomas, English fan who started liking Poland after meeting us in SIFE/SEN group at the University arguing with our flatmate Aga?

Even though Polish football is not on the world class level it was great feeling to show in Manchester our origins - and we will do so during Olympic games - because our National team in volleyball - women and man are strong and ready to reach the gold medals!

Go POLAND! :)

PS.
When my team lost I was supporting those who played with passion, and played beautiful football...

SEN & SIFE Networking

2008-06-29T16:45:00.004+01:00

One of the greatest aspects of my stay in UK was my membership in SEN (Students Entrepreneurs Network) and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) where I have met great people with who I enjoyed great trips and activities.

In the beginning, as a small group of Salford SIFE team we went to Grantham (near Nottingham) to participate in SIFE Leadership weekend - great occasion to network with students across UK Universities and to meet each other from our own team. Amazing adventure which I described in November (link)

Then in March we took part in Regional Finals of FLUX500 competition which was based on the management game where we developed business idea given with game scenario - our product was - Composter for home use! Then we had meetings with experts who helped us develop the strategy and plan. Finally we pitched twice in front of experts - that it looked like during Dragon's Den pitch. In the end of the day we came second which was fantastic achievement!
I wrote a note about it in March (link)

After that we went to Lancaster to participate in the First UK Enterpreneurial Summit. This was fantastic event which encourage me and others to think more realistically about the business ideas. Many great speakers and entertainment (previous blog note about it)

Great events, new places - same team. We met quite often to plan our strategies and events - like our mission to help St. Sebastian Community Centre to promote better and get some students to participate in life of this social place. Furthermore, thanks to Louise Kenworthy we had opportunity to participate in cycle of Workshops by great speakers and experts who taught us about marketing, management, problem solving, strategy and setting up our own business. All thanks to Louise and Enterprise Academy.

This year was fantastic, even though we haven't manage to meet all our goals we set from various reasons. Nevertheless, our team was successful during events and competitions we have been part of.

Our meeting in Enterprise Zone and lunch in "Sweet Mandarin" (fantastic Chinese restaurant: link)was great finish to celebrate all the efforts to make those things happend.

M&M and Ouana - our friend from Romania

New members of SIFE from India and the team of 2007/2008!

Ladies from Enterprise Academy who put a lot to make it all work and were always helpful:)

Thank you all for the great times hope that next year will be busy for you with many great, fascinating projects to go.

Granada

2008-05-30T19:44:00.004+01:00

Visiting Granada was a great idea, although we did not plan to do so ahead, but after hearing how beautiful city it is we went there. And have to admit, that it is impressive city worth more than a day to stay! With main attraction being Alhambra - massive castle on the hill (bigger than in Malaga) built by Arabs. After visiting the castle we went to explore the city by moving around small streets full of souvenir shops and cafe's.

Cathedral... you could ask what's that brown thing? It is a protection from sun for people who participated in Catholic celebrations during one of the weekends.

Marta in the Arab's castle

amazing view on Granada...

!Hola!

Do you think is a labyrinth? well... not really, those were fundaments of houses, saunas etc.

only Polish flag missing - well, I tried to represent my country as best as I could - as always:)

Castle's gardens.

I admire cities which manage to compare their heritage with new designs. More impressive in Grenada which is full of Arabic heritage, then Spanish architecture, then finally this street lamp - modern design era.

Granada Cathedral from different view.

For more insights to Granada - have a look at pictures in my album on the right side of the blog.

Go to Granada, enjoy it, explore, shop around - but then go to the beach which is 2h travel by bus from and relax :)

Malaga

2008-05-30T19:06:00.008+01:00

My love to Spain appeared after wonderful time I had in Catalonia and after exploration of some cities like Zaragoza, Barcelona or Valencia. Therefore, for our (M&M) holiday destination Malaga seemed like a great place to go - and it was!

After almost one year in Salford, Manchester, UK - which went by very fast because of so many activities - studies, part time jobs, exploration of the cities sights, trips with University team and many more things that we did... and with so many great people we have met...

but! holidays, relax, some break is a need - you got to respect yourself first and give a body, mind some fresh air and calm down after so many new things absorbed.

Following pictures present some insights to Malaga, more are in my Picassa album on the right side of the blog.

Alcazaba

Alcazaba Castle and Gardens inside - which was built by Arabs on the top of the mountain

View from the hill on the City's gorgeous gardens

Malaga City Hall - have to admit that this building represent great wealth of the city.

Marta in the Malaga's garden

Playa de Malaga - the beach in Malaga and Marta looking for nice seashells.

At the Vegetable market...

and then at the fruit market...

Gardens Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepció

exploring gardens... here Marta with amazing bamboos

Magnificent trees from all the continents gathered in one place which you could have visit through different paths.

Strawberries were the main food we consumed in Spain, due to its authentic, unforgettable sweet taste

Large cactuses which you wouldn't grow in your room, or would you?

Lying on the beach in the Spanish sun was the main purpose of this holiday - to relax, get fresh, empty head from all the problems and things from the past and prepare for next adventures.

Clear blue sky, sweet strawberry... no rush, no problems, none waiting, none to wait for, no things to do, nothing to learn, no work... just RELAX - Holy days, well that's what I call Holidays!

'Semana de las culturas' - week of cultures organised by city of Malaga - which is a candidate to become a European Capital of Culture for 2016.

I recommend Malaga and Andalucia region as a place to go for holidays, active with sight-seeing or full of relax :)

Jogging

2008-05-14T11:16:00.006+01:00

Jogging for many people is something different, the main purpose is to exercise, relax, relief. Personally, I thought that jogging equals running, which I dislike, but it can be slower if you prefer. I have been jogging in Catalonia with Ewa - my flatmate in the late nights, and recently I have listened to the soundtrack I prepared for us to ran and thought that it would be nice to remind myself those runs.

I do advice everyone to be sport active, especially if you have office job or sit for the most of the day - travel by car, sit at the computer not making your muscles work. If you do not have opportunity to play some sports or you are just an individual type of person - then jogging is a way for you!

Here is my playlist I was jogging to:

Starting slowly, some stretching, getting used to run...
♪ Julieta Venegas - Me Voy
♪ Matt Costa - Yellow Taxi
...then some more enjoyment into jogging...
♫ The View - The Don
♫ Phil Collins - Dance Into The Light
...come on come on! you can run!...
♪♪♪ Zucchero - bacco tabacco
♫ Mika - Love Today
...ah finally... you may relax and slow down... home is nearby...
♪ Magic Juan - La Ultima Vez

Total Time: 27 min

After few days of running we decided to expand the time of our late night trips (it was summer in Catalonia and tempratures were going down around 1am and we ran at that time!)

jogging is about you - you give a tempo, speed - decide on the route...

♪ Matt Costa - Sweet Rose
♪♪ E-ray & Michi Gasser - TaTaTa
♪ Matt Costa - Sunshine
♪ Jack Johnson - Upside Down

everyone has their faivourite routes but don't let routine get into jogging... try something new!

♫ Marek Grechuta - Nie dokazuj
♫ E-ray & Michi Gasser - Concert
♫ New Slang - The Shins

with Ewa we explored our city during late night jogging but also tried paths specially designed for runners - but they were extremely long and hard, but after few trainings we managed to run around without stops
♪ Jack Johnson - Lullaby (Feat Matt Costa)
♪♫ Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California
AND...final run to house in express tempo... as fast as you can or bit slower... don't stay behind!
♪♫♫♪ Wisin y Yandel Ft Aventura - Noche De Sexo

Total time: 58 min

Finally, to inspire you to jogging, I can just say that if you run alone it's good to time to think or put all your thoughts aside and focus on yourself. Or, if you run with someone it's a great opportunity to share ideas, talk - because: 'If you can't talk, you run to fast' - the Rebook slogan inspired me, especially their advertises which can be seen here: Add 1 & Add 2

Take care of yourself, of your body - no exchange can be made or refunds...

Salford vs. Manchester - Two cities boat race

2008-05-13T21:55:00.003+01:00

You could have heard about famous races between Oxford and Cambridge held for years in United Kingdom. However, have you thought that Manchester and Salford also compete each year to decided who will rule for next year? Indeed, in Salford Quays the races in few categories take place and competition is very intense.

For the first time we took part in this event as visitors, even though we were invited to take active part in that, but the teams were already full. Most of the races which counted to the overal ranking were professional, but most exciting was 'Dragon Race' where regular students were racing in boats with dragons and drums making a tempo for them.

Marta & Agnes at the event - air plane acrobations in the background.

M&M at the two boat race

Dragon's Race!

Manchester in white-purple against Salford in white-blue-yellow

Vikings in 'Dragon's Race' !

Final run!

Salford won Dragons Race!

Overall, the event was great and we enjoyed the races, even though Salford lost to Manchester.

To read more about 'Two cities boat race' have a look on this website

London Day 2&3

2008-03-31T22:16:00.009+01:00

During Second and Third day we explored London with Tung - our very best friend, big traveller. Thanks to him we had a chance to eat amazing ostrich meat at Borough Market a place with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and other organic groceries.

We also continued to see the most important tourist attractions as follows:

St Paul's Cathedral

Walking around London
(though we did walk a lot - London has a great and cheap transport system with Oyster card - well done!)

enormously huge St Paul's Cathedral

Tower of London

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

Express yourself!

Pedestrian bridge over River Thames

Having Mochitos in Brasilian club

Cathedral nearby Borough Market

Ambassador Theatre - where we have seen STOMP musical

The weather was changing - from raining to sun, back and forth as we passed River Thames at least six times one day.

Fortunately, we managed to see a musical as we planned - STOMP - the show about street and everyday sounds - performers used random stuff such bins, lighters, matches and even sinks to show the audience that sounds and music are company of our everyday life's.

London is an amazing city - full of attractions, not just buildings but things which are inside, especially great paintings and sculpture in Tate Modern or National Museum, which we had not time to explore, but I suppose there is always an impression that London is more than that and always worth visiting again.

But, it is not the place where I could live - constant traffic, millions of people wondering around day and night, hubbub of the street... all that seems to be very tiring - also a "Rat Race" can be seen - people running all the time, living in hurry - such life can be good for short period but in long term is just killing...

Have a rest,
enjoy life,
once a year go to a place where you have not been before,
call your parents,
chat with friend,
spend some time with yourself,
plan next day,
go back to reality...
but do not forget to dream!

London Day 1

2008-03-31T21:43:00.007+01:00

Visit to London is probably on the list of every traveller and tourist, it is so big and easy to lose that you need a guide to show you insights to it.

However, during first day, together with Marta, we managed to see most of the most important attractions - those we saw in Tv and heard about. Some of them where different - like Big Ben is smaller than you might think after watching Eurovision song contest transmission from London.

Nevertheless, those beautiful building are amazing, the architecture but also current utilisation - home of Royal Family - Buckingham Palace or Parliament building.

Everything is surrounded by new buildings and seems to be under pressure from them, but there are many parks where London citizens can have a break and relax, even see wild animals from close just in the city centre!

Great Britain coat of arms

Queen Elisabeth I statue in front of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Ducks in St James Park
(animals were so close to us, walking around the tourist, even squirrel were amazingly brave and familiarise with strangers)

M&M in St James Park

Buckingham Palace from St James Park

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben

Parliament and Big Ben by River Thames

First day was very lucky for us, as it was raining whole way to London and stopped when we left the coach. Walking around London for 5 hours gave us a great opportunity to create an image of the city, but lesson about it came with Tung and real experience of city life has came during second and third day.

Easter in UK

2008-03-27T13:00:00.005Z

My third Easter I spend far from my family and home, but each time is special and great, and always try to celebrate in Polish style, according to culture and tradition.

Easter decorations.

Easter Sunday - traditional Polish breakfast - white borscht with coloured eggs, horseradish, a platter of cold cuts and sausages, white cheese with radish and Polish bread

M&M celebrating their first Easter

Exploring Salford... on a walk after breakfast

the Anglican Church we visited

Old Church nearby University

This Easter was special, traditional - thank You:*

Easter Greetings

2008-03-21T23:08:00.004Z

I wish you all the best for Easter - happiness, love and health. Hope you spend this holiday with your family or friends in traditional way.

This is my third time I do not spend Easter with my family, but staying in contact with them is key to happiness.

Polish culture is very beautiful and a postcard from my grandmother reminded me to cultivate it and share with other people.

Polish way of celebrating Easter (Roman Catholic ritual)
1. Every free time in Easter week is usually devoted for houses cleaning - beating dust out of carpets, cleaning windows, segregating home stuff
2. Saturday morning - prepare basket with: eggs, sausage, salt, bread, horseradish - decorated with dwarf mountain pine - and take it to Church to bless food - which will be consumed on Easter Sunday
3. Sunday morning - family is meeting by the breakfast: traditional Polish white borscht and a lot of great, fresh meat - and one of family members speak up to wish all the people who gathered all the best, a lot of health and luck - then everyone share eggs and wish everyone individually all the best in life.
After that there is a walk to the Church and family dinner.
4. Easter Monday is again a day of family meeting by the breakfast and dinner - but the most amazing thing is "Smigus Dyngus" - Easter Monday custom of dousing young women with water - young men are running on the street dousing girls and women with water - old polish tradition says that if women won't me wet that day she will not get married

See pictures: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

Once again, all the best and enjoy these happy holidays!

Yours,
Mario

Liverpool

2008-03-18T22:54:00.005Z

Part of my parents visit in UK was a trip to Liverpool - which thanks to nice weather was a great experience. However, city itself did not impress us - due to many constructions going on nearby Docks, but exhibitions in museums were fascinating!

My wonderful parents

Mancia and Egyptian figure

Liverpool Cathedral

Chinese Gate in Liverpool - one of the biggest group of Chinese emigrants in UK live in this city

M&M in Liverpool

Liverpool Town Hall

M&M enjoying time in L'pool

Liverpool is European Capital of culture - visit their website to check events

Family visit in England

2008-03-18T22:46:00.005Z

It is always nice when family decides to visit and they are always welcome and can feel like at home - especially when after 19 years of living under their roof you can finally invite them to your place and thank for all the good things and experiences they shared with you.

My parents came to Salford - Manchester to see how I'm doing in UK.

Me and my mother in Salford Quays
I have taken my father to football match:
Manchester City - Tottenham (2-1)

Manchester City Stadium

Me and my father by the Students Union building

Many thanks for visiting me in UK - hope you enjoyed it and had great time:*